How to Safely Build a Treehouse

by Jackie Davis 05/26/2024

Treehouses give kids a fun place to play, read books or hang out with friends. With a treehouse, kids can spend more time outside enjoying fresh air. If you’re thinking of building a treehouse in your yard, it’s important to keep a few factors in mind, such as where to put it and how big it should be. The following tips can help you build a treehouse that’s both safe and exciting for your kids.

Choosing the Right Tree

Treehouses should be built in trees that are healthy and large enough to provide support. Look for a hardwood tree in your yard that has plenty of load-bearing branches to support your treehouse. If you have to use a softwood tree, the diameter of the branches should be more than 8 inches for enough support. You should choose a tree that is high enough to prevent anyone from bumping into the treehouse once it’s built. However, you don’t need to choose a tree with branches that are way up high if you want your kids to be lower to the ground for safety.

Ensuring Stability and Support

When coming up with the design for your treehouse, consider stability and weight. The platform of your treehouse should be placed close to the trunk and include diagonal bracing, which provides more even support. The load of your treehouse should be placed over the tree’s base rather than on one side. If your area gets high winds frequently, make sure you build your treehouse lower down. Putting it higher up can add too much strain to your tree during high winds.

Allowing Tree Growth

When building a treehouse, avoid restricting tree growth. You can make sure the tree can continue growing by leaving gaps around it and around any branches you’re using for the treehouse. You should leave a gap of a couple inches in the treehouse's floor around the tree. If the tree goes through the roof of the treehouse, leave a gap of a few inches.

Starting From the Ground

Treehouses shouldn’t be built in the tree. Instead, build your treehouse one section at a time on the ground. You can then lift the pieces up and put them together as you go. Building your treehouse on the ground is much safer than trying to construct it in the tree.

Adding Treehouse Accessories

You can add fun accessories to your treehouse to make it even more exciting for your kids. Solar-powered lights can provide illumination, so your kids can use your treehouse at night. A slide can offer a fun way to get out of the treehouse instead of using a ladder or steps. Your treehouse can also include a water cannon for cooling off in summer or fold-down tables and benches, so your kids can play board games and have snacks.

About the Author
Author

Jackie Davis

Welcome to Jackie Davis and Company. If you have navigated this far, we thank you and would like to share how we differ from other teams and agents. We work tirelessly and are committed to providing 100% customer satisfaction. We recognize, listen, value, and appreciate your goals as you move towards listing or selling your home. As Listing Agents we continuously integrate new and advanced technology to promote your biggest asset. Our strong negotiation skills are invaluable for getting you the best price for your home. As the Buyer's Agent we pride ourselves on being fully educated in our local markets. While focusing on integrity and honesty we will provide you with the highest level of professionalism and analysis. We are proud that this hard work has earned us recognition as top 1% both company and state wide in the industry. Achievements * 1st Quarter 2017 Leading Sales in Fairfield * 2017 February Leading Sales Team * 2017 March Leading Sales Team * Chairman's Elite representing the Top 1% Agent at William Raveis Nationwide & Fairfield County * Over $45 million Listed & Sold in 2016 * Over $30 million Listed & Sold in 2015 * 99% List to Sales Ratio (higher than market average) * 75 Average Days on Market (less than market average) * Jackie Davis Promoted to Sales Vice President 2016 * Raveis Award of Excellence every year * Exceptional Customer Service Award every year * Top Units Sold Team October 2016 * Top Customer Service October 2016 * Top Mortgage Support September 2016 * Top Selling Team January 2016 * Top Mortgage Support August 2015 * Top Selling Team Feb 2014 * Top Producing Team Jan 2014 * Top Selling Team Dec 2013 * Top Selling Team Nov 2013 * Top Producing Team Nov 2013 Professional Specialty Innovative Marketing and Technology equals proven sales. Our team of licensed professionals is ready to serve. We handle: Sellers & Buyers Exceptional Properties Investors Waterfront & Beach Area Homes Country & Equestrian Properties New Construction & Land Relocation Professional Association National Association of Realtors Connecticut Association of Realtors Greater Fairfield Board of Realtors Consolidated Multiple Listing Service Community Involvement PTA committee member for past 14 years from elementary through high school PTA Board Member for 4 years Shoff Darby Advisory Scholarship Board member past 5 years Committee member for Cancer Care of Norwalk past 10 years Volunteer Habitat for Humanity Operation Hope coordinator for elementary and middle schools, last 3 years Volunteer for a variety of town sports teams, that my daughters participate in The County Assemblies Board Member The b-Cause Foundation Board Member- a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate children to recognize neighbors in need in our local community. Wakeman Boys & Girls Club- Fundraising Committee Member Committee Member for Cancer Couch Fundraiser the Cancer Beat 2016 Near and Far Aid Volunteer Education BA from Merrimack College Personal Fairfield resident for 39 years Currently reside in Fairfield Beach Area Married 27 years Four daughters currently in & have graduated Fairfield Public School system Areas Covered Fairfield Southport Westport Weston Norwalk Trumbull Easton Stratford Shelton Milford Stamford Bridgeport